PRICE, GRACE FINLEY

PRICE, GRACE FINLEY "Momma Grace" (30 April 1896-2 July 1992) was, with her husband, Rodger, a pioneer African American entrepreneur. Born in Paulding, Ohio, to Ida Stuart, Grace attended Paulding public schools. She met Rodger in Toledo, and they lived in Detroit before coming to Cleveland in 1927.

The Prices' first business was the Log Cabin Grille, an African American restaurant and nightclub at E. 55th & Central. In the 1940s they purchased Shauter's Drug Store (see SHAUTER DRUG COMPANY) at E. 55th & Woodland, the first drugstore in Cleveland to employ AFRICAN AMERICAN pharmacists. They also opened the first medical-professional building for African Americans at East 55th & Woodland, and built United Recreation Center at E. 85th & Cedar, the only place in Cleveland where African Americans could bowl.

An avid fifty-year plus golfer, Grace and her husband golfed at Cedar and Warrensville Center Rd. on the only golf course where African-Americans were allowed. They introduced golf to Cleveland's African American community when they founded the Six City Golf Association in the early 1930s.

Grace married Scott ca. 1915 and had a daughter, Helen Marie (Ellis). Grace married Rodger Price (died 1989) ca. 1923 and had a daughter, Allistine. Grace received an honorary nursing diploma from MERIDIA HURON HOSPITAL for her exemplary nursing care of Rodger during his battle against cancer. Grace belonged to MT. ZION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. She is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.